Faith In Nature

Ancient Ways, Wisdom & Natural Shamanism
- Led by Willow Lohr -

LOCATION

Call of the Wild

Near Aberfeldy

PLACES

14 Total

2025 DATES

31st August - 10th September

PRICE

£1195 inc. camping

Fully Catered

BOOK

HERE

'Faith in Nature' is a 10-day long, deep immersion course which aims to bridge the gap between you and nature. Nature will be the central teacher between your heart and soul as you embark on a journey to learn ancient knowledge and traditional skills. Much attention will be given to ritual and ceremony as these not only mark significant times, but also perhaps surprisingly serve as deep survival techniques. These deep-rooted nature skills, rituals, tales, lore and hand-crafts, build your self-esteem and confidence. These skills will equip you with the mental tools to maintain balance, space and find peace in an increasingly hectic world. You will also create beautiful hand-crafted personal shamanic tools with which to maintain your spiritual skills and mental resilience.

What Makes Faith In Nature Course
Special?

'Faith in Nature' is a down to earth, ‘feet on the ground’ intensive course engaging nature on a physical and psychological level. You will experience this in a powerful and practical way, but also in a gently spiritual way. Practical bushcraft skills support the teachings in everything we do on this course. You will learn about fire, food, water, trees and plants, about animals and how to read tracks. But we will travel further and deeper. Through crafting and practical skills you will create your own spiritual items and tools. You will gain knowledge about traditional rituals and experience what it is like to work with ceremonies. You will learn about the wisdom of the 'elders', their healing songs and stories and hear the voices of near-forgotten tribes and ancestors.

Who Is This Course For?

This course is for anyone who wishes to learn traditional and ancestral skills, but also venture deeper into the realm of 'spirituality' - not in a religious sense, but as an exploration of what nature can teach us. It aims to bring you closer to what it might have been like to live as a hunter-gatherer, where deep connection to the natural world was essential to life. It's not preachy, nor is it a presentation of one particular world view. Rather, it's an exploration of the natural progression which happens when one aims to connect to nature on a deep level. Expect your course-mates to be from a wide range of backgrounds and outdoor experience, who, under the expert guidance of Willow Lohr with support from Wilderness Folk School, will ensure this is an informative, thought-provoking and fun course!

Key Course Topics
(See below for detailed itinerary)

Mental Tools - learning from nature
Plants - food, medicines, plant teachers, ritual and eco printing
Stones - carving, history keepers, ritual, medicine wheel
Animals - tracking, behaviour, furs, totems, animal teachers
Drum making - tradition, preparation of skins, rawhide, wooden hoop & babiche, making a drumstick.
Drum painting with natural pigments and ochres
Awakening drum, chants and meaning.
Life & death - leather craft, sewing, honouring the dead rituals
Bone identification and crafts - make an oracle set
Fire - primitive fire skills, making tinder, keeping fire, stories and legends, ritual in fire

Your Will Take Home Your Own Handcrafted:

Hand drum
Smudge set of a birdwing and dried herbal smudge sticks
Bone oracle set
Leather pouch
Stone beads
Eco printed paper
Eco-printed spell or herb bag.

Faith In Nature Course Details

LOCATION

Call of the Wild Near Aberfeldy

PLACES

14 Total

2025 DATES

31st August - 10th

September

PRICE

£1195 inc. camping Fully Catered

BOOK

HERE

The Call of the Wild is a little slice of wilderness carved into the Highland Perthshire Hills, where you stand amongst ancient giants, hear tranquility, and breathe in a land lost in time. The ancient granny pines and junipers that blanket the landscape are part of an estate that is actively encouraging nature recovery.

The Call of the wild estate is a dream of a wilder future, one that’s hand in hand with nature, living as sustainably and as self-sufficiently as possible, creating areas for growing chemical-free food and flowers, whilst working with the land to enhance biodiversity and protect and regenerate the incredible SSSI woodland.

Our ancient woodland site is secluded and has great camping spots - a place to immerse yourself in nature. The wood is full of wildlife and we are truly privileged to be able to run our courses from this special place.

Full joining instructions and arrival details will be sent out at the time of booking.

All camping and catering is included in the course fee, but camping is not always for everyone. At Call of the Wild, there are two shepherd's huts available for rent (each sleeps 4 - a fixed double with an additional fold out double) and space for 2 camper vans. We have been offered the shepherd's huts at a discounted rate and can be booked directly with Call of the Wild. Full details can be found here. Camper vans can also be booked directly with Call of the Wild at an additional cost of £25 per night. With either of these options we will still fully cater for you in camp.

This site is close to Aberfeldy, right off the A9, and so is very accessible. We offer a complimentary train pick up service from Birnam rail station for up to 4 clients per course on a first come-first serve basis. There is ample private parking on site for those travelling by car.

Please contact us if you are unsure about any of the items on the kit list

CLOTHING

Underwear/socks for the duration of the course
2/3 pairs of trousers - ideally robust yet quick drying.
2/3 base layers - t shirts or merino wool
Mid- range layer - light fleece or wool shirt
Warm layer - larger fleece/wool jumper
Waterproof and windproof jacket
Waterproof trousers
Warm hat and gloves
Scarf for colder months
1 pair sturdy waterproof boots
1 pair of camp shoes - old trainers are ideal.

OPTIONAL

Binoculars
camera
Books
Knife - no cutting tools are necessary as we will provide all tools

EQUIPMENT

Small day sack (35 litres or so)
Larger rucksack for all gear
Dry bags for waterproofing clothes for day walks
Tent or Tarp and Hammock
Sleeping pad/mat
Sleeping bag, 3 season or two lighter bags
Headtorch and spare batteries
Wash kit, towel and pond swimming kit (optional!)
Personal medication and small first aid kit
Sun block
Insect repellant - we like Smidge, it works well on our midges
Midge headnet (only in case of infrequent bad evenings) - best are also made by 'Smidge'.
Bowl, plate, mug, knife fork, spoon.
Water bottle
Notebook and pencil
10m of paracord

Travel and arrival - Detailed joining instructions will be sent out to you well in advance of the course commencing. This will include where to meet, parking arrangements and options for public transport. If coming by train, Dunkeld (Birnam) is the closest stations and we can offer a complimentary pick up/drop off service for up to 4 clients per course on a first come first serve basis. Please inform us on your booking form whether you require a pick up service. ** PLEASE DON'T book public transport or accommodation until 8 weeks before the course start date as this is when we will confirm that the course will go ahead and that we have enough participants (usually minimum of 6)**.
Accommodation - This course includes an on-site camping option. You will need to provide your own tent/tarp and hammock or other. We may be able to loan you a tent if you are stuck. Camping is wild but there plenty of excellent flat sites. All other facilities are provided including large group areas, a kitchen and a composting toilet.
- Camping is not always for everyone and at Call of the Wild, there are two shepherd's huts available for rent (each sleeps 4 - a fixed double with an additional fold out double) and space for 2 camper vans. We have been offered the shepherd's huts at a discounted rate and can be booked directly with Call of the Wild. Full details can be found here. Camper vans can also be booked directly with Call of the Wild at an additional cost of £25 per night. With either of these options we will still fully cater for you in camp.

Food and Drink - This course is fully catered from the arrival evening (light supper) until lunch the final day and we are experienced at providing excellent quality food to groups. We can cater for most common dietary requirements including vegetarians and pescatarians but we ask people with celiac disease or other dietary requirements to inform us upon booking so we can make sure that we can cater for you. We have an ample drinking water on site. Alcohol is prohibited on all courses except the cooking/food courses.
Weather/conditions. We feel very at home in the outdoors and we will set up a camp that will provide adequate food and shelter to keep you comfortable in all weather. We are in Scotland however and so weather can be changeable and unpredictable! Please make sure you bring suitable clothing as per the kit list and contact us if you are at all unsure about what to bring. Courses will not be cancelled due to bad weather.
Age requirements - 16 - 18 welcome if accompanied by an adult, otherwise 18+.
Fitness/ability - Our courses are not strenuous, but they all require a minimum level of fitness. Aside from some craft courses, most courses involve walks out from camp on woodland paths or over some uneven ground. As a guide, you should therefore be fit and able enough to cope with walks of up to about 3km over this terrain. There will be a short walk of around 500m from the parking site to base camp, we will however be able to drive your gear in for you so you don't have to carry it. Our courses are also hands-on experiences which are educational and we expect students to get involved and not view the course as a normal holiday or demonstration style event.
Payment - We take a deposit upon booking and the full balance is due 8 weeks before the course. If we cancel the course for any reason (unforeseen circumstances or not enough participants) then we will refund 100% back to you. See our full Terms and Conditions.
Insurance - We have comprehensive liability insurance and risk assessments, but we recommend that you have a basic level of insurance which covers yourself and your possessions for adventurous activity - no outdoor activity is free from all risk.
First Aid/Medical - Your course leader will be trained to First Response Emergency Care level 4 (Ambulance ECA) and will carry a comprehensive first aid kit with the group at all times. Please bring with you plenty of any required personal medication.
Toilets/showers - There is a composting toilet on site - its hygienic, pleasant, ecologically sensitive and private. There is also a shower room that we can use.

What happens if I'm late for a course? Please keep us informed on your journey if you are going to be late. We can drive out to meet you at the meeting point later in the evening and bring you into camp.

Where do I park and is it safe? We have a private parking site close to the base camp. Cars are safe and away from built up areas. Full joining instruction will be sent out well in advance of the course.

Do you allow dogs? I'm afraid not. In our experience dogs are very hard to manage around our kitchen and food so unfortunately we have a no dog policy.

Is there phone signal and charging available? Yes there is good signal. There will be an option to charge mobile devices every couple of days only.

Do most people come on their own? Yes they do, and enjoy the welcoming atmosphere and like-minded people. We also have many people that choose to come with a friend or family member who also wants to have an awesome time.

Do I need prior experience? Not at all. Some courses are aimed at a more advanced level but this is made clear in the course description. Most courses cater for all abilities including absolute beginners.

Are there any hazards or risks I should be aware of? There's no such thing as completely risk-free outdoor activities. Your course leader has 20 years of experience of bushcraft and running these types of courses so rest assured the risks have been carefully assessed and mitigated as best as is possible. You are in good hands and a full safety brief will be given for all activities. There are ticks present in the woods (like almost all UK woodlands which have a deer population) but you will receive a brief and the risks from Lyme disease are minimal.

Are there midges? Midges are present at our sites but the Aberfeldy area is blessed with a low midge population!! They can be a mild nuisance on still, muggy overcast days from mid-may to late august but are generally not bad and reserved for evenings and mornings.

Can you give advice on accommodation and the local area? Yes of course! We are fortunate to be based in Highland Perthshire, famed for its beauty, history and plethora of outdoor activities to enjoy. We are only happy to advice on other things to do while in the area.

What is your cancellation policy? Full terms and conditions are available here but basically;

You'll get a 100% refund if we cancel the course (almost never for weather, sometimes if there are not enough bookings but 8 weeks in advance of the course)
If you have to cancel then we will always try to refill the course place, and if we can we will refund you in full.
Full course fee is due 8 weeks before course
- If you cancel 4 - 8 weeks before the course you are liable for 50% of the course fee.
- If you cancel less than 4 weeks before the course then you are liable for 100% of the course fee
- This is due to the fact that courses involve a large amount of planning and expense in advance.
- Sometimes we can transfer you to another course if there is availability.

Each day has a theme and is a mix of practical crafts and spiritual exploration around the theme.

Day 1 - Mental tools

Magic, science, faith, knowledge and wisdom. Are they all different, separate?
What is real? What is truth?
Which reality do you live in?
Make your story line
Animisms and other ‘Faiths’.
What are mental tools?
Smudging ritual.

Day 2 - Plant People

Plants beyond food or medicine.
Plant teachers and plants with power.
Meetings with plants
Learn to smudge, make smudge sticks
Create and make your own birdwing smudge fan.
Eco printing beautiful leaves on natural cotton fabric.
Creating a spell bag with your eco printed cloth.

Day 3 - Stone People

Stones as teachers
History keepers
Stones and cardinal directions
Lay your own medicine-wheel.
Medicine-wheel ritual.
Carving a stone bead or amulet

Day 4 - Animal People

Animals as teachers
Tracking, sign and footprints.
Feeding signs and furs.
Emotional intelligence
Drum journey
Totem animals

Day 5 - Drum making

The role and tradition of hand drums
Scraping and preparing raw skins
Making rawhide
Wooden hoop and babiche
Stretching and lacing rawhide over a wooden frame.

Day 6 - Drum making

Make a drumstick
Painting the drum with natural ochres and pigments.
Awakening your drum
Chants and their meanings

Day 7 - Life and Death

The only certainty in life is death.
Honouring the dead
Preparing for you death
Death as an advisor.
Bones; learn to recognise and identify
Craft project with bone

Day 8 - Life and Death

Make a bone oracle set
Learning to cast and read the bones
Sew a leather pouch
Small death ceremony

Day 9 - Fire

Fire methods old and new
Firekeepers versus fire makers
The evolution of fire
Fire in ceremony and ritual
Make your own natural tinder
Primitive fire making skills
Blending fire.
Nightwatch
Stories and legends

Day 10 - Faith in Nature Applied

Magic, science, tradition, spirituality and mental tools.
How to apply ‘Faith in Nature’ in your daily life.
Magic and science
Your mental toolkit
How to create and perform your own ritual and ceremony

Faith In Nature

Ancient Ways, Wisdom & Natural Shamanism - Led by Willow Lohr -

What Makes Faith In Nature Course Special?

Who Is This Course For?

Key Course Topics (See below for detailed itinerary)

Faith In Nature Course Details

Ancient Ways, Wisdom & Natural Shamanism
- Led by Willow Lohr -

What Makes Faith In Nature Course
Special?

Key Course Topics
(See below for detailed itinerary)